Press Releases

Feb082016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the follow statement after voting to confirm Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger of Des Moines, as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa:

“I want to congratulate Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger on her confirmation to serve as a federal judge for the Southern District of Iowa. I have tremendous respect for Judge Ebinger’s impressive career and her commitment to public service. Judge Ebinger’s nomination is the result of an extensive search conducted by a Judicial Selection Commission formed by Senator Grassley. I greatly appreciate the hard work and thoroughness of Senator Grassley and his staff throughout the nomination process.”

Senator Ernst introduced Judge Ebinger at her nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she explained that the Judicial Selection Commission formed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley “was comprised of experienced and respected members of Iowa’s legal community who spent countless hours reviewing applications and carefully studying the applicants’ professional history and qualifications. The Commission then made the recommendation of Judges Ebinger and Strand to Chairman Grassley, who in turn reviewed them, consulted with me, and then recommended them to the White House.”

The American Bar Association has rated Judge Ebinger as “Unanimously Qualified” for the nomination. She began her career with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, from 2004 to 2006. From 2006 to 2008, she served as a law clerk to Judge Michael Joseph Melloy of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. From 2009 to 2011, she served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Since 2012, she has served as a State District Judge in Iowa's Judicial Election District 5C. She was appointed to this position by Governor Branstad in November 2012, and she was retained in 2014 for a term that expires on December 31, 2020.